Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: Risk Factors and Impact on the Outcome in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With Nordic Protocols.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been increasingly recognized as a clinicoradiological entity. Our aim was to describe the incidence of PRES in pediatric patients with ALL, identify its risk factors, and examine its prognostic importance. For this research, we conducted a systematic, retrospective review of the patient records in a population-based series of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=643) treated in Finland from 1992 to 2008.

Coinfusion of mobilized hematopoietic stem cells from an HLA-mismatched third-party donor with umbilical cord blood graft to support engraftment.

We evaluated the role of mismatched third-party hematopoietic stem cells (TPC) in shortening the neutropenia after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). A TPC graft was given to 7/37 children with UCBT to support engraftment due to anticipated increased risk of nonengraftment (N=6) or active infection (N=1). TPC grafts were collected with apheresis from haploidentical family members.

Physical performance of nontransplanted childhood ALL survivors is comparable to healthy controls.

Physical fitness is an essential feature of overall health. Our objective was to compare the physical performance between nontransplanted acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients (study patients), healthy controls, and ALL patients after stem cell transplantation (SCT). Forty-five ALL patients (median age, 13.

Multiple viral infections post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are linked to the appearance of chronic GVHD among pediatric recipients of allogeneic grafts.

Delayed immune reconstitution and the ensuing opportunistic infections among children following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are associated with increased treatment-related morbidity and mortality (TRM). We retrospectively evaluated the impact of viral infections on the posttransplant recovery of pediatric recipients of stem cell grafts as a reflection of their posttransplant immunoreconstitution in a single institution setting. The case histories of 124 children (during 1/1999-9/2006) were reviewed for infectious episodes, and correlated with their respective clinical parameters.

Osteosarcoma in Finland from 1971 through 1990: a nationwide study of epidemiology and outcome.

Background And Purpose: There have only been a few nationwide studies on the epidemiology and outcome of osteosarcoma. We report the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of osteosarcoma in Finland for the period 1971-1990.

Methods: The study material was derived from population-based data from the national Finnish Cancer Registry.